Bending and clamping frame



Nov. 17, 1925. 1,561,613

. J. n. Moxsown annua mi cnmxne man und Feb. 1s. 1924 Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOHN L. MeK-EOWN, 0F VJINNETKA, ILLINOIS.

BENDING AND CLAMPING FRAME.

Appncation andren-nary 15, 1924. seran Np. 693,053.

To @Il `ifi/710mI :it 72mg/ concern.'

Be 1t known` that I, JOHN L. MCKEOWN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Winnetlra, in the county of Cool; and? fabricating the bowed top chords of Wood trusses, consisting of a plurality of super-- posed pieces of'lumber bent to proper curvature and gluedtogether.

The object of the invention is to provide a frame for the purpose specified, by means of which lamimited Wood structures-par ticularly the laminated top chords of Wood trusses may be fabricated expeditiously and economically, and which may readily be adjusted4 for fabricating structures having dili'erent radii. u

rlloeffect thel objects of the invention, my improved bending and clamping yframe comprises alphu'alityQ of units, all of which. are substantially duplicates of each other, and each` of which` comprises a base or stringer member adaptedto-be disposed horizontally, and a post member supported in upright positionupon said base member and extending :1t right angles thereto.

Both the Stringer and post members of said units uill preferably be formed from chzumel beams secured together in spaced relation, thecbannels forming the base members being disposed outwardly and of the post members being disposed inwardly.

'To providefor varying .the curvature of the. a rc defined by .my improved bending and clamping frame, the lower ends of the post members of the different units have sliding engagen'ient with the base members thereof, andere adapted to be rigidly connected to said base members at a distance from what, for convenient reference, may be designated. their from' ends, by bolts adapted for clamping brackets secured to said post members thereto, said clamping' bolts preferably eX- tcnding t' :rough theslots in said base membersbetueen; .the spaced channel bars form7 ing the same and the heads of said clamping bolts engaging beneath the lower edges thereof. As shown, the lower ends of the post members are slidably connected to the base members by clips secured to said post members, the ends of which are bent inwardly beneath the upper flanges of the channel beams forming said base members.

Said post members are also supported by means of diagonal shores or braces, which connect saidlpost members at points adjacent` to their upper ends, With said base members, at points adjacent' toV their rear ends. Preferably, also, said shores or braces are adjustably connected'to the base members, thus providing convenient means for truing up said post members relative to the basefmembers when erecting the units for use.

Each unit of my improved bending and clamping frameY also comprises clamping means adapted` for holding the pieces of lumber to be joined firmly in contact With the posti: members of said unit and also with each` other,` whereby they maybe bent to conform to the arc delined by said bending andclamping frame and will be held firmly in Contact With eachother until glue applied thereto sets and hardens sufliciently to insure that the laminated structure formed thereby will be firmly connected and will retain its curvature, forming in effect a substantially unitary structure.

Desirable clamps for the purpose specified consist of bolts, the heads of which engage the T-slot formed by the spaced front flanges of said post members and which project frontwards therefrom, the lengths of said bolts being proportioned to the maximum radial dimension ofthe laminated structure which the frame is designed for fabricating. Said clamp also comprises a clip portion adapted to engage the outer sides of the pieces of lumber being bent and applied, and nuts threaded to the ends of said clamping bolts outside of said clips, adapted for subjecting the pieces of lumber to desired pressure tobend and clamp them Vfirmly together until the glue is set.

In use,'the base members of the different units are supported on a suitable flat fouu dation, a desirable and preferable foundation consisting of sills laid on-afioor or other suitable flat surface. which extend ,transversely of said base members, being preferably bent or bowed to provide for using base members of the same length for different units. in use, also, the different units are erected so that the base members extend substantially radially of the arc of the structure being fabricated and are spaced relatively short distances apart, say from 18 inches to 24 inches between centers at the post members.

As shown, each clamp is adapted for simultaneously engaging two diiferent structures, and the height of the post members may be pi'oportioned for simultaneously utilizing any desired number of clamps, thus providing for simultaneously fabricating a corresponding number ofsuch laminated structures on the same frame.

A combined bending and clamping frame of my invention also comprises the various other features, combinations of features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanyingl drawings in which my invention is fully illustrated, v

Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of a bending and clamping frame embodying my invention and improvements, showing a bowed, laminated top cord section therein in process of fabrication.

Figure 2 Vis an enlarged front end view of one of the units of said frame erected for use.-

Figure 3 is a side view of said unit, showing two chord sections clamped therein; and

Figure d is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the manner of using my improved frame for fabricating more than two chord sections. l

For purposes of clear and definite illustration, l h ve, in the accompanying drawings shown a bending and clamping frame embodying my invention and improvements as applied in use for fabricating sections f the bowed top chord of a truss, designated as a whole A, consisting of a plurality of pieces of lumber a bent to a desired curvature and rigidly secured together to form a unitary, laminated structure. The pieces of lumber a will preferably be glued together, although my invention contemplates the use of any desired or approved means for this purpose.

Describing my improved bending` and clamping frame with particular reference to the drawings, said frame, designated as a whole B, comprises a. plurality of separate units each designated as a whole B. All of said units are duplicates of each other and a description of one thereof will apply equally to all', and the accompanying description is, therefore, in the singular,

lnV the drawings, in which l have shown in detail a single unit of my improved bending and clamping frame on an enlarged scale,

base member at a dista-nce from what foi' convenient reference, may be designated its front end, preferably, in such manner that .it may be adjusted lengthwise thereof.

Both the base member B2 and the post member B3 are made of steel channel beams 1 rigidly secured together in spaced relation, the flanges of the beams forming the base member being disposed outwardly and those of the post member being disposed inwardly. Simple means for connecting said channel beams consists of bolts 2 inserted through holes formed in the'webs vof said channels and spacing sleeves 3 placed over said bolts between the webs of the connected beams.

To provide for quickly and conveniently vaiying the posit-ion of the post member B3 on the base member B2, the lower end of said post member is slidably connected to said base member and is adapted to be rigidly means of a clamping bolt 4;, which extends secured in adjusted position thereon by through a hole formed in an angle or bracket 5 secured to the rear side of said post ineinber and downwardly through the slot 6 defined by the webs of the channels l forming said base member, the head of which inter-locks with the lower edges of said channels, and which is tightened from above.

is shown, the lower end of the post member B3 is confined upon the base member B2 by means of clips 'T secured to opposite sides of said post member, the lower ends of which are bent inwardly so as to hook under the top flanges of the channels which form said base member, as shown at 8,

The post member B3 is supported in upright position by means of a shore or brace 9 secured to said post member adjacent to its upper end, areferably vin such manner that it may quickly and conveniei'itly be attached thereto and detached therefrom, as by means of bolts, and the opposite end of which is secured to the base member adjacent to its rear end, preferably by means of a clamping bolt l0, affording means for truing up said post member with reference to said base member so that its front face will extend substantially at right angles to the top side of said base member.

As shown, the shore or brace 9 consists of a section of T-bar, opposite ends of which are flattened so as to rest against the rear and upper faces of the post and base members, respectively.

Each of the units B1 also comprises cla-mp ing means, designated as a whole C, adapted for drawing the inner nieces of lumber a into contact with the post member B, which denne the .curvature of the structure, and

till

succeeding piecesyinto ,Contact` with each, other. Thus; by applying."glue,to` the inner` surfaces of the pieces et` timber" asl tlieyare applied, exceptingthe. piece u first` applied, glued Joints will be formed betweenouter pieces a` and` adj scent `inner pieces, and, when the full number of; pieces, ofv lnmber have will afford means for clamping said pieces` of` lumben together until the been applied,

glue sets `and handensdsuliiciently to hold the entire structure to iized c nrvatureu What I now consider to be a preferable form ofl clamp, comprises a clip 1l` adjusted the T-slot 13 formed by the spaced front tianges ofthe channels l forming the post and` a nut- 1,45 threaded to `the member B?,

endof the bolt l2 outside of" the clip 11, which affords means for advancing sai clip.

ber of; laminated trusssections A or other i laminated structures, the limitation in this respect being the height or eloation at which the` work cairbe perforined` conveniently and expeditiously. n

In process of `fabrication, the lowermost truss section or l other laminated structure, will rest directly pon theprojecting.- front ends ofthe-base members and, `where the pieces of lumber a. are glued together `as preferably conten'iplatedsuperposed structureswillbe supportediinspaced relation to those immediately beneath them by thin spacing strips 15,'see Eiga 4,. thus preyentingl them ,from becoming glued` together, as might otherw happen i Aserectedffor use, a framel. of my in.- rention `comprises anyl desired number of unitsiB-1 supportedin spacedvrelation ,to .each

for, usual pur.-

other, a desirable spacing poses being from l8- inches` to 24 inches between centersoff adjacent units at the posts B3. This relation may, however, vary with the thickness and stiffness of thcpieees of lumber rz. i

The unitsB1 will preferably be erected for use upon a. suitable foundation, thetop of whichdelines -a flat surface.` A desirable form of foundation consists of sills `1G sef cured to a floor, the line vofgwhiciris indif catedfat 17, or other suitable surface. The units are arranged with the `base members B? extending substantially. radially ot" the mean arc of the structures'which` the `franie is designed for. fabricating, tliesillsl. ex tending transyersely of said` base` members B2 and preferably conformingsubstantially to themean en rvatnre ofsaid structure,

thus providing for the use of base-ineinlmrs B2 of the same length for all of the units 131; In use the` base' members of the units B? will be bolted or otherwise rigidly securedtofthersills 1,64,

In. erecting or adjusting the frame for use, the post members B3 will be secured to the base members B?- at a` distancel from their front ends in proper position to define the curvature of the truss section A or other laminated structure which1 is to be fabricated, after which. the shoresor braces 9 are adjusted to bring the frontY faces` of the post membersll3 perpendicular to the topsides of `theluisemembers B2. i

As previously stated, my improved bending and clamping frame is particularly designed and adapted for, fabricating the bowed top chords of wood trusses, consisting of a plurality of superposed pieces of lumber bent to proper curvature and glued together, and I-,Will now describe my improved frame as utilized for this purpose.

In fabricating such chords, the contacting sides of the pieces of lumber afareprcferably dressed. The pieces of. lumber forininga section of. a top i chordare then pla ccd in. the frame with their lower cdgesresting upon` the projecting front ends. of the base members B2, glue being. applied Atothe .inner sides of. Aeach piece` of lumber, excepting the first or` inner. piece. The full number of pieces, (as shown five) haring been placed in the fran'ie, clamps C are applied thereto and the pieeesof lumber. a forming another truss section are, inlike manner, placed in the frame, Vheilig spaced, from the .iicres forming the First section of the truss by spacing. strips lndlich are slightly..thicker than thediali'ieter of the clampingl bolts lil, said spacing strips preventinglihe adjacent; edges of said truss sections from beroining glued together.

` After. the pieces `forming both truss sectioiis have been placed in` the` lf-ruine, i the clanjipingnijits la are tightened so as to draw` the pieces of l-un'lber a, forming both truss sectionsinto.` close Contact, with the inner surfaces of the inner pieces resting againstthe post menibers of the frame. The structure is then permitted to stand for4 a sutlicient length of time for the glue to set and harden so as toperinanently connect thepieces oflumber (t and impart a permanent bow or curvature to .the structure. The clamps are then removed and tbc truss sections are ready to be embodied in the inishedtruss.

In like manner any contemplated number oftruss sections imiybeforined in the same frame, the .limitation inthis respect being the"` distance from theA floor or supporting surface at `which the work can be formed quickly and economically.

In settingup the clamping nuts lh :nl

electrically operated wrench will be employed initially, thus providing for turning the nuts up rapidly, final tightening of-the nuts being preferably effected by means of powerful hand wrenches, insuring tight joints and close cont-acts between adjacent pieces a.

ln the case of trusses or other structures which are relatively stiff and hard to bend, either on accountl of the number of pieces a or their size or the lumber used, the clamping nuts 111 may be set up a little at a time instead of all at one time.

To prevent turning of the bolts 12 while the nuts are being tightened, they are preferably squared under the heads, as shown at 18, said squared portion fitting loosely into the slots in the post members B3 through which the'bolts 12 extend.

I claim: l

1.'A bending and clamping frame consisting of a plurality of units, each comprising aiixed base member and a separate post member, means for supporting said post member in upright position on said base member, and clamping means in association with said post member, said units as erected for use being arranged so that the post members thereof will define the shape of the structure to be formed thereon.

2. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the post members are positioned at a distance from the ends of the base members to which they arc secured, respectively, the projecting ends of said base members forming ay support for the pieces to be bent.

3. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the post members of different units are separately adjustable endwise of their respective base members.

Ll. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the post members is constructed and arranged for truing up said post members with their respective base members.

5. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the post members on their respective base members comprise shores or braces which connect the base and post members of the different units.

6. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the post members on their respective base members comprise shores or braces which connect the base and post members of the diiferent units, and the means for connecting the shores to the base land post members to which they are applied is constructed and arranged for connecting said shores to one thereof at differentpoints lengthwise thereof.

7, A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the lower ends of the post members are slidably connected to their respective base members.

8. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the lower ends of the post members are slidably connected to their respective base members, said slid able connection comprising clips on the lower ends of the post members which hook beneath flanges on the base members.

9. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the lower ends of the post members are slidably connected to their respective base members, said connecting means comprising means for detachably connecting the lower ends of the post members rigidly to their base members.

10. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the base and post members consist of channel beams rig idly secured together in spaced relation.

11. A bending and clamping frame asv specied in claim 1, in which the base and post members consist of channel beams rigidly secured together in spaced relation, the iianges of the vchannels forming the base members: being disposed outwardly.

12. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the base and post members consist of channel beams rigidly secured together in spaced relation, the flanges of the channels forming the post members being disposed inwardly.

13. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the post members are provided with longitudinal T- slots and the clamping means associated therewith comprises anchor bolts the heads of which are secured in the T-slots formed in said post members respectively, clips adjusted to said anchor bolts, and nuts threaded to said bolts outside of said clips.

14. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the post, members are provided with longitudinal T-slots and the clamping means associated therewith comprises anchor bolts the heads of which are secured in the T-slots formed in said post members respectively, double-ended clips adjusted to said anchor bolts, and nuts threaded to said bolts outside of said clamps.

15. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the different units are erectedon a suitable foundation, the base members of the different frame units being disposed substantially radially to the arc of the structure to be fabricated.

16. A bending and clamping frame as specified in claim 1, in which the different units are erected on a foundation consisting of sills secured to a fioor or other flat surface which extend transversely of the base members of the frame units.

17. A bending and .clamping frame .as

llt)

specified in claim l, in which the different units are erected on a foundation consisting of curved sills secured to a floor or other fiat surface which extend transversely of the 5 base members of the frame units.

1S. A bending and clamping frame as specified in Claim l, in which the post members of the frame are proportioned to adapt the machine for simultaneous bending and clamping more than two pieces on said 10 frame and each of the units of sai-d frame comprising a plurality of clamping means.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention7 I aix my signature this 7th day of February, A. D. 1924.

JOHN L. MGKEOWN. 

